Maskne (noun): Maskne is a skin condition that is characterized by red pimples, due to frequent usage of a face mask. Show Can you believe that this is my first review of 2020? Between moving to a new home, getting stuck in a foreign country and you know, the ongoing pandemic, I just haven’t been able to test out new products recently. Thus, it’s only befitting that the product I’m going to be talking about is one that most of us can use right now. Although I’m thankful for protective face masks (seriously, I’m SO grateful that a piece of cloth can keep me safe from COVID-19), they have been causing a few painful flare-ups on my cheeks and chin. Since I’m currently not living at home and don’t have my usual skincare stash on hand, I decided to order a bottle of the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant to see if it could help me out with my zits. Here is my review. The product comes in a grey, plastic bottle with a white, screw-on cap. Once you take off the cap, you will notice a tiny hole through which the liquid comes out. Honestly, I would have preferred a dropper or nozzle type of packaging as often enough, too much product oozes out. The directions for use and the ingredients are mentioned on the back of the bottle. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant On the formula front, this exfoliant is a crowd-pleaser. Although it has a runny consistency, it also has a slightly oily feel to it, which helps the formula spread easily across the skin. The clear liquid dries down invisibly, without feeling too tacky. Once you layer your moisturiser atop of it, the stickiness disappears completely. Since my skin is used to chemical exfoliants, this salicylic acid-based formula did not cause any tingling. I usually shake the bottle 2 to 3 times to get an adequate amount of solution out so that I can apply it all over my face. When I use it as a spot treatment, 1 shake is more than enough to cover all my zits. However, if you are new to using acids or have sensitive skin, I would recommend carrying out a patch test first. Another major plus point is that this formula is fragrance-free. It does have a faint scent of alcohol to it, which dissipates after a few seconds. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant I’ve been testing this product out since March (reminder, we are in July now), and have been very impressed with the results. Just like it promises, this formula unclogs my pores and shrinks zits visibly in literally 2 days. It has also worked wonders on the blackheads on my nose and has definitely made my face smoother over time. Whilst I have heard of people complaining that it dries their face out, I haven’t faced any such issues on my combination skin. Although the brand says that you can apply it twice a day, I’ve found that nightly applications are my sweet spot. Just remember to always follow up with sunscreen the next morning as beta-hydroxy acids like salicylic acid can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. All in all, this is a solid product to add to your skincare regime. Not only does it speed up the healing time of active blemishes, but actually works to keep new ones from cropping up. Since we do be responsible and wear our face masks for the foreseeable future, I’m going to stock up on a few more bottles of this magical solution. At the beginning of December I ordered the Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant and my life changed. I started out using this a few times a week and then I boldly started using it every night. You can see my current skincare routine for anti-aging, sensitive, rosacea and dry skin here. This product is vegan. Where to Buy Paula’s Choice Price $26 for 3.3 oz.  About Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant has a lightweight lotion texture that works to soothe redness while unclogging pores and diminishing their size. It contains salicylic acid (BHA) to exfoliate and reduce rough, bumpy skin while reducing redness due to its anti-inflammatory action. Soothing plant-derived anti-irritants coax extra-sensitive, reddened skin into a more unified, healthy appearance. Ingredients Water, Butylene Glycol (water-binding agent), Cetyl Alcohol (thickener/emollient), Magnesium Aluminum Silicate (matte finish thickener), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Cyclopentasiloxane (silicone slip agent), Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer (thickener), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract (anti-inflammatory antioxidant), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium (Willow Herb) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (anti-irritants), Beta-Glucan (anti-inflammatory antioxidant), Allantoin (anti-irritant), Dimethicone (silicone skin-conditioning agent), Glycerin (skin-repairing ingredient), Lauric Acid (skin-repairing fatty acid), Sorbitan Stearate (emulsifier), PEG-40 Stearate (solubilizing agent), Polysorbate 20 (thickener), Xanthan Gum (thickener), Caprylyl Glycol (preservative), Hexylene Glycol (solvent), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Disodium EDTA (chelating agent), Ethylhexylglycerin (skin-conditioning agent), Phenoxyethanol (preservative). Key Benefits
As you know, I suffer from rosacea. My skin is sensitive. I’m now also prone to dryness. I absolutely hate flaky skin (which ends up emphasized by makeup) but with my rosacea and sensitivity, I didn’t feel like I could exfoliate daily with a physical exfoliant without further irritating my skin. Enter the Calming BHA lotion. Chemical exfoliants are gentler on my sensitive skin. They don’t scratch the skin or cause micro-tears the way some physical exfoliants are prone to do. From everything that I’ve researched, chemical exfoliants give you even results because you’re not rubbing it in, so much as applying a thin layer. The Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant is able to clean out the gunk in my pores and make them appear smaller. It also makes my skin feel smoother. Because of the calming ingredients, my skin also has less redness. I’ve also been using this with the Calm Rednesss Relief Serum. Between the two, I’ve seen the daily redness from my rosacea greatly diminished. I love this Calming BHA lotion and I’m going to continue using it nightly to help reduce redness and keep my skin smooth. I’m really impressed with the results! What’s your favorite facial exfoliant?
Cordelia Frost is the creative force behind Phyrra, a treasure trove for cruelty-free indie and goth beauty aficionados. She's also the author of the game-changing 'Hooded Eyes Makeup Manual' by Courtney Nawara, a must-read for those looking to master hooded eyes makeup. Whether you're seeking the latest in goth beauty, alternative fashion or tips for a healthier, happier you, Cordelia offers a colorful palette of inspiration. Can Paula's Choice 2% BHA be used everyday?Many people with stubborn clogged pores have great results using a Paula's Choice BHA exfoliant twice per day. Note: Those new to using BHA should start by only applying every other day and note skin's response before moving on to more frequent application. How long does it take to see results from Paula's BHA?It may take 5-14 days to see results (source) Don't give up! Initially, my reactive skin had zero irritations and redness. I was extremely relieved as most acne products were too strong for me. How long does it take Paulas Choice to start working?Depending on the products you were using before, you may see overnight improvement. Enhanced results will occur within 2–8 weeks and will increase and be maintained over time. During the day, your moisturizer or foundation must contain an SPF 30 or greater sunscreen or you will not get the best results. |
